🧭 Region & Middle East · #52

After polygamy permission is given in Singapore, what are the wives' rights?

Permission only opens the door; after the contract, each wife is entitled to adequate maintenance and housing and a fair turn, and need not live with her co-wife without her consent.
Allah makes justice a condition (an-Nisa' 4:3) and forbids inclining wholly to one wife (an-Nisa' 4:129). The Prophet ﷺ warned that a man with two wives who inclines to one will come on the Day of Resurrection with one side of his body leaning (Sunan Abu Dawud 2133). A wife may give her turn to her co-wife, as Sauda r.a. did for ʿAisha r.a. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5212). If these rights are neglected, a wife may take her claim to Singapore's Syariah Court, including maintenance and fasakh. See Singapore.

Sources

Surah an-Nisa' 4:129Sunan Abu Dawud 2133 (sahih)Sahih al-Bukhari 5212

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This answer is general reference, not a fatwa. For your situation, consult the religious affairs office, a Syarie lawyer or your state Syariah Court.

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